Chapter 46

The trip to Retona was scheduled for the week of Sabina’s birthday. It would last two weeks, and the lodging was set as Ashton’s family home.

Since Ashton’s business had relaxed after the Royal Institute contract, he said even if he was away, his now-stable trade wouldn’t suddenly collapse. The nobles who considered his weekly carnivals a highlight of their week would miss him, but so be it.

After some thought, Sabina decided to meet Helio and receive his birthday congratulations. She hadn’t celebrated her birthday in years, and hadn’t told Helio about it in either of the previous timelines. So even talking about her birthday felt strange.

She met Helio on the Saturday before her birthday. Surprisingly, it was Ashton who suggested she tell Helio.

Sabina worried about how to bring it up while walking with Helio around the academy grounds. In the end, she rather abruptly confessed, “My birthday is the 16th this month.” Helio looked like he was replaying what he’d just heard.

The next moment, the boy was deeply shocked. He hadn’t known or even thought about Sabina’s birthday. He had nothing to give, and was at a loss, but Sabina cut off his guilt by saying, “I don’t want a present from you.”

“Just say happy birthday to me, okay?”

Helio blushed slightly and whispered,

“Happy birthday, My Lady.”

Sabina smiled. Now all that was left was the trip.

Ashton took care of almost all the travel preparations. He handled the paperwork for border-crossing train tickets and all the tedious details. When Sabina, unhappy with his attitude, went to complain again, Ashton shut her up with,

“Get used to ruling.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Just what I said.”

The travelers themselves didn’t think about what impression ‘a couple’s weeks-long trip’ would give. But for stuffy adults, a young pair’s trip seemed somewhat improper.

Society’s consensus was, ‘That’s just Sabina D’Vialis for you.’ It was a jab at her reputation for romantic entanglements before she met Ashton. Ashton, who regularly hosted carnivals, didn’t have a particularly wholesome image either, so nobles gossiped and snickered.

Sabina, oblivious to rumors, didn’t know what people were whispering, but Ashton, now a central figure in the capital’s social scene, heard all the gossip. He responded to rumor-mongers with his trademark host’s smile.

“Oh, I hope none of my carnival guests are among those spreading such rumors.”

To criticize a lover’s trip as “promiscuous” when they themselves wear masks and flock to carnivals, wanting to drink and indulge in each other’s bodies, was a pointed jab at hypocrisy.  

When this remark made the rounds in Ridblon, some people fell silent in embarrassment, while others, covering their faces, grumbled that a brief indiscretion and openly shameless behavior were clearly different, complaining it was nonsense.  

In any case, Ashton seemed genuinely happy as he steadily prepared for the trip. After Sabina decided on the journey, she often visited Ashton’s house to watch him get ready, and she thought she’d never seen him so excited before.  

He was so enthusiastic that he wouldn’t stop talking about how beautiful Retona was, describing every detail to Sabina. At first, she listened calmly, thinking he was just excited, but after several days of this, it became a little tiresome.  

“I’ve been to Retona before, with my grandfather.”  

Eventually, she reminded Ashton that she was the heiress of a family wealthy enough to vacation abroad every season. She was saying she’d visited all the ‘nice places’ he mentioned at least once.  

Ashton couldn’t respond with his usual sly wit and looked embarrassed, rubbing the back of his head and smiling awkwardly. Sabina felt a little sorry, thinking maybe she should have let him brag more.  

“…The coast is covered with Miras flowers. It’s rare and beautiful to see flowers blooming in the sand, drinking seawater. It’s a shame we won’t see them this trip.”  

She wasn’t used to lightening the mood out of consideration for others, so her words came out stiff. Still, making such an effort was a challenge for her. Looking at Ashton’s face, she felt her heart soften for no reason…  

Even her awkward, stiff words made Ashton smile in satisfaction. He sat close to Sabina, resting his chin on his hand and gazing sideways.  

“You can’t visit Retona when the Miras flowers are blooming. Because of Helio.”  

“He was busy studying for exams, so there was no time for a trip.”  

Her tone was firm, making it clear she’d never even considered traveling while leaving Helio alone at home—well, not truly alone, since Mitchel and the maids would care for him.  

Ashton silently studied Sabina’s face. She slowly turned the pages of a Retona travel book on her lap, then met Ashton’s gaze.  

“Are you thinking childish things again?”  

“He’s grown up. You don’t need to care for him so much.”  

“If he’d grown up in a normal home with decent adults, maybe. But before coming to me, he lived a harsh life.”  

Helio had spent five years at Marquis Meolin’s mansion, even before his leg was broken and he was locked in the basement. With no one to care for him. It was a wonder his spirit hadn’t broken. Considering his environment, Sabina couldn’t blame him for being a little clingy and dependent on his guardian.  

Sabina closed the book. Her fingertips wandered on her knee, then rested on Ashton’s. He tensed slightly, face growing nervous. Sabina leaned in closer. Today, she noticed the scent of smoke and roses on him.  

“Could you be kinder to Helio?”  

“…Why?”  

“I’d like you to get along with him, if possible.”  

Just as Sabina felt weak when she saw Ashton’s face, Ashton felt weak when Sabina asked for something. He gently covered her face with his hand.  

“Should we really be talking about Helio while planning a trip for just the two of us?”  

“You brought up Helio first.”  

“Well, yes, but you always go for the sore spots.”  

“Why do you dislike him?”  

Sabina pulled Ashton’s hand away and met his eyes. Ashton gave a stiff smile. He had a clear reason for disliking Helio, but couldn’t tell Sabina.  

“Of course, he’s fourteen now, old enough to learn independence… but he’s still young. As an adult, could you be a little more generous?”  

“See, Lady D’Vialis, you always take his side. That’s why my heart hurts.”  

Sabina’s gaze remained serious, even as Ashton tried to joke. He finally cupped her pale cheek with his palm. She stiffened briefly, then leaned into him. Her long eyelashes dropped onto her cheek.  

“Could you?”  

Ashton wanted to grant every request while he could still be by her side. Before the end came, he wanted to do everything for her. Since she couldn’t love him, it was easy to be good to her.  

‘You’ll look at me coldly and tell me to go away, in the end.’  

He whispered silently, gazing at her calm face.  

‘I’ll quietly disappear from your life, and that child will become your comfort.’  

Eventually, the one Sabina loved most would be that boy.  

Some might argue Ashton’s actions were contradictory, that he was jealous of Helio while creating a scenario where Sabina would push him away and keep only Helio close.  

But for him, that was for the best.  

Beyond lending her the title of ‘lover,’ creating memories was his own selfish wish, unrelated to any goal. He wanted to enjoy this before leaving. Even the trip was part of that.  

Ashton admitted his own pettiness. But only until spring came next year.  

If she were capable of loving or trusting a man, she wouldn’t play at romance like this. He guessed she could discard him without guilt or regret, so he could approach her as much as he wanted.  

Ashton gently stroked the edge of Sabina’s eyebrow with his thumb. Sabina was quiet. Her permission to touch him made him happy, but also a bit anxious. What if, at the last moment, she got sad instead of angry?  

Of course, he had a final resort. If he wanted, he could manipulate anyone’s emotions at will. He didn’t want to use unnecessary magic on Sabina, but if needed, he was prepared to change even her memories. It would take less than three seconds.  

Lost in thought, Ashton didn’t answer, so Sabina opened her eyes.  

“Do you dislike him?”  

Ashton said nothing.  

“I don’t even know why you fight with him. Or why he dislikes you so much…”  

She was still bewildered by the inexplicable gap she felt every time she saw Ashton and Helio together, not knowing how busy his mind was. She whined a little.  

“What happened between you two?”  

Helio was sensitive, but quickly softened toward anyone who treated him well. Sabina knew that.  

“Sabina.”  

Ashton called her in a husky voice.  

“Yes, say it.”  

“Is it because you hate being caught in the middle?”  

Sabina pulled away slightly, then cupped his cheek in return.  

“Are you worried Helio will always be uncomfortable whenever he sees me?”  

“Yes, I want to avoid anything Helio dislikes. But if…”  

Her small face drew close to his ear. Ashton bowed his head, letting Sabina whisper to him.